(Photo by Levittown Public Schools)
Villanova University is the dream for Timothy Weber. But he has more than a year to decide what his next step will be after high school.
The General Douglas MacArthur High School junior is a star for the varsity soccer team, as well as the track and field squad. Over the years, he’s earned a reputation as one of the school’s top student-athletes.
“He’s an outstanding student in the classroom, an athlete on the track and soccer field,” track and field head coach Mike Gattus said. “His work ethic is second to none. He has a great rapport with both the coaching staff and his teammates. He has a great competitive attitude and is very aware of what it takes to be a winner.”
Weber strives for perfection with both sports. Each present their own challenges. However, he uses them hand-in-hand.
He started to compete in track and field in order to improve his work ethic in soccer. On that field, he’s an outside mid-fielder. And with track and field, he’s one of the best runners in MacArthur’s history.
“I started getting into track to raise my level of fitness for soccer,” Weber said. “I’ve been playing soccer since I was three and really started liking the sport. It just took off from there.”
Weber is fresh off winning the winter conference championship in the 1,000 and 1,600-meter relays. He also scored spots on the All-Conference and All-State teams.
To top off Weber’s impressive track and field resume, he holds the school record in the 1,000-meter after playing third in the NYSPHSAA/NYS Federation indoor championships with a time of 2:32.59. That’s five seconds faster than the previous school record.
“In track, I would say there’s a lot of self-motivation to get up and do the runs,” Weber said. “My teammates and parents push me a lot.”
But there’s still more work to be done. Weber wants to compete in Division I, undecided if it will be in soccer or track and field.
With soccer, he’s one of the Generals’ most persistent scorers. Led by head coach Andy Atkins, the Generals heavily rely on Weber’s skillset, which includes quick feet in the midst of all the action.
One thing is certain, though, Weber wants to leave MacArthur High School as an All-American athlete. It’s a goal that is certainly in reach, and one believes he can accomplish.
“It would show the work that I’ve put in to get there,” he said. “I’d have something to show for my hard work.”
